With both the perigee and full moon occurring just hours apart, the result is a supermoon that will appear 14% brighter than usual. This celestial alignment will also generate extreme tidal changes, known as perigean spring tides, over the following days.What Is a Supermoon?
The term supermoon refers to a full moon occurring at or near the moon’s closest point to Earth in its orbit. According to Dr. Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist, a supermoon happens when the moon lies within 90% of its minimum possible distance from Earth. Espenak’s calculations show that four supermoons will occur in 2024: in August, September, October, and November. Of these, October’s supermoon brings the closest match between perigee and full phase, making it the largest of the year. In contrast, a micro moon occurs when the moon is farthest from Earth, or at apogee. The next micro moon will take place on April 13, 2025, when the full moon will appear 14% smaller than the one rising this week, positioned nearly 31,000 miles (50,000 km) farther from Earth.Why Is It Called the Hunter’s Moon?
The Hunter’s Moon takes its name from old seasonal traditions. Historically, this full moon marked the time for stockpiling meat for winter. Falling leaves and harvested fields made it easier for hunters to track game like deer or foxes preparing for the colder months. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Native American tribes assigned names to monthly full moons to reflect the natural cycles of the seasons, with the Hunter’s Moon symbolizing the start of winter preparations.When Is the Best Time to See It?
While many TV weathercasters may encourage viewers to step outside on Thursday night, that evening the moon will already be hours past full, technically entering its waning gibbous phase. Additionally, the moon will be slightly farther from Earth than during its closest point at perigee.To truly experience the supermoon’s full splendor, Wednesday night offers the ideal opportunity. The moon will be nearing perigee and inching toward fullness with every passing moment. Though a full moon lasts only an instant astronomically, it will appear visually "full" to the naked eye throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning.In reality, the sliver of shadow separating a full moon from a nearly-full one is so subtle that most people will not notice any difference. So, even if clouds obscure Wednesday's moonrise, you’ll still enjoy a magnificent lunar display over the following nights.October’s Hunter’s Supermoon—the biggest and brightest full moon of 2024—will rise on Wednesday, October 16. This event occurs when the moon reaches perigee, its closest distance to Earth, just hours before becoming full. For the best view, stargazers should head outdoors on Wednesday night to enjoy a glowing moon that appears 14% brighter than usual. Historically named for the hunting season, the Hunter’s Moon symbolizes the preparation for winter and offers a celestial spectacle you won't want to miss.
The term supermoon refers to a full moon occurring at or near the moon’s closest point to Earth in its orbit. According to Dr. Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist, a supermoon happens when the moon lies within 90% of its minimum possible distance from Earth. Espenak’s calculations show that four supermoons will occur in 2024: in August, September, October, and November. Of these, October’s supermoon brings the closest match between perigee and full phase, making it the largest of the year. In contrast, a micro moon occurs when the moon is farthest from Earth, or at apogee. The next micro moon will take place on April 13, 2025, when the full moon will appear 14% smaller than the one rising this week, positioned nearly 31,000 miles (50,000 km) farther from Earth.Why Is It Called the Hunter’s Moon?
The Hunter’s Moon takes its name from old seasonal traditions. Historically, this full moon marked the time for stockpiling meat for winter. Falling leaves and harvested fields made it easier for hunters to track game like deer or foxes preparing for the colder months. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Native American tribes assigned names to monthly full moons to reflect the natural cycles of the seasons, with the Hunter’s Moon symbolizing the start of winter preparations.When Is the Best Time to See It?
While many TV weathercasters may encourage viewers to step outside on Thursday night, that evening the moon will already be hours past full, technically entering its waning gibbous phase. Additionally, the moon will be slightly farther from Earth than during its closest point at perigee.To truly experience the supermoon’s full splendor, Wednesday night offers the ideal opportunity. The moon will be nearing perigee and inching toward fullness with every passing moment. Though a full moon lasts only an instant astronomically, it will appear visually "full" to the naked eye throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning.In reality, the sliver of shadow separating a full moon from a nearly-full one is so subtle that most people will not notice any difference. So, even if clouds obscure Wednesday's moonrise, you’ll still enjoy a magnificent lunar display over the following nights.October’s Hunter’s Supermoon—the biggest and brightest full moon of 2024—will rise on Wednesday, October 16. This event occurs when the moon reaches perigee, its closest distance to Earth, just hours before becoming full. For the best view, stargazers should head outdoors on Wednesday night to enjoy a glowing moon that appears 14% brighter than usual. Historically named for the hunting season, the Hunter’s Moon symbolizes the preparation for winter and offers a celestial spectacle you won't want to miss.